microphone on computer can it be line in stereo

[nester9]

can the microphone on a laptop be used for a stereo line in if not what is the utterly cheapest way to get a audio line in for my laptop :D

thanks

[robertruetz]

No, it cannot. You'll need an interface. For a laptop, your options are PCMCIA card, USB and Firewire. Go to www.sweetwater.com and find the option that suits you. There are a couple of USB options that can be had for under $50. I'm not sure about PCMCIA cards. Firewire will probably be too expensive, plus you'll have to have a Firewire port on your lappy.

Rob
:cool:

[nester9]

is it a mono plug and if so is there any way to make it stereo

[sabianq]

sorry nester
mono is by definition 1 channel
stereo by definition is 2 channel.
you really cannot make a two channel input from a 1 channel input without rearranging the architecture of the laptop.

if you need two channel recording,then you need an audio interface.
a good PCMCIA interface is the Echo Indigo IO Stereo 24/96 Laptop Cardbus.
they dont make them anymore, but you can find them used for a good deal.

the Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Notebook PCMCIA Sound Card is the other cardbus alternative.

otherwise, a USB interface might be an option.
http://www.sweetwater.com/c695--USB_Audio_Interfaces

[robertruetz]

The bigger problem is that it isn't a line-in. It's a microphone input, that is pre-amped (albeit amped for those silly little computer microphones, not for a full-blow mic).

Just out of curiosity, what stereo source are you trying to record? If you don't have a line-in, you'll have to go with some of Sabi's recommendations.

Thanks,
Rob
:cool:

[TimOBrien]

It's also got only about 40cents worth of chips with REALLY mediocre quality (they're built for beeps, boops and light gaming, not quality)

#1 Rule of Recording: You MUST replace the built-in soundcard.

Here's a good guide and suggestions: http://www.tweakheadz.com/soundcards_for_the_home_studio.htm

[Reegs]

Fun factoid while we're on this topic. Macbooks have a line-in (stereo) that the OP desires, not a mic jack. I guess Apple figures that the built-in mic is sufficient (which it usually is).

[ecc83]

Is twenty quid cheap enough?

The Behringer UCA202 is a usb 1.1 device that will work on anything. I have used mine on a P3 600M 256ram door stop and a works computer that was admin locked ( the Win XP usb drivers work fine).

For the itinerate guitarists, a pedal, virtually anything will do, pair of cans and a copy of Reaper on a usb stick and he can jam and record using any computer he comes across.

16bit,44.1/48kHz only but good enough for jazz!

Dave.

[richpasco]

You might also have a look here (http://www.dak.com/reviews/2086story.cfm). Has anyone here used this product? Is it as good as claimed?

[ecc83]

Hi Rich,
That IS the Behringer UCA202 and yes, it is suprisingly good (bit of techy info, on my computer using Sapmplitude 8se it shows a noise floor of -85dB. My mains system, an M-Audio 2496 betters that by 11dB but was 60quid!).

One problem is that it has no input level controls and you must be really careful not to get closer than -6dB of the top, when it clips it takes no prisoners!

But, yes it is very much better than onboard sound.

Dave.